Health psychology explores the intersection of the body and the mind, focusing on how psychological factors affect physical health and well-being. Clinical health psychology is a recognized specialty within professional psychology, with a body of research and practice focused on promoting health, preventing and treating illness, and improving health care systems. Career paths in health psychology span multiple education levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, but independent practice as a psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree and state licensure. 

Like many medical and scientific professions, there’s an academic path to becoming a health psychologist, but not everyone’s journey is the same. Below are five common steps to start a career in health psychology.

A bachelor’s degree is the foundation for a career in health psychology. A bachelor’s degree in health psychology may be offered as a clinical health psychology program or as an area of concentration within a general psychology curriculum.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for positions such as a community health education specialist or an occupational health specialist or in research-based jobs. Or, you could put your psychology skills to work in many industries that benefit from understanding how people think, such as education, communications or sales.

A bachelor’s degree may support entry-level roles, but independent practice as a psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree and state licensure.

A master’s degree in psychology often takes about two years, but the curriculum and clinical training vary by program, and the degree is commonly offered as a Master of Arts or Master of Science. Many psychology master’s programs may be research-oriented or preparatory for doctoral study rather than direct preparation for licensure as a psychologist. You can take advantage of online psychology master’s degree programs to fit your lifestyle and budget.

Career options for people with a master’s in psychology vary by specialty, employer, and state law, but a master’s degree alone generally does not qualify someone for independent licensure as a psychologist. There are opportunities to put the degree to work in human resources, advertising, or market research. Some professionals work for state, local, and federal agencies in criminal justice, social services, and employment counseling.

Practicing independently as a health psychologist requires completing a doctoral program in psychology, supervised training, and the licensing steps required by the jurisdiction where you plan to practice.

Earn an MA in Psychology Online from Pepperdine

Pepperdine University’s online Master of Arts in Psychology program prepares students to pursue doctoral study or a career in human services.

• Open to all undergrad majors
• No GRE required 
• Can be completed in about 18 months

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Depending on your career interests, doctoral options most often include a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is generally more research-focused, while a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) is generally practice-focused. Learn more about the differences between Ph.D. in Psychology and PsyD).

Earning a doctorate in psychology typically requires five to seven years of study, including coursework, research, and supervised training. Program length varies by institution and degree type.

Licensure for psychologists follows a broadly similar process across states, even though specific requirements vary. In most cases, candidates must earn a doctoral degree in psychology, complete supervised clinical training, pass required licensing examinations, and submit an application to the state licensing board. 

For independent practice, states generally require doctoral-level education and licensure. Supervised experience often includes an internship and may also include postdoctoral hours, depending on the jurisdiction. Since each state sets its own standards, applicants should verify current requirements with the licensing board in the state where they intend to practice.

After obtaining licensure, eligible psychologists may pursue board certification in clinical health psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Board certification is a specialty credential that can distinguish practitioners, especially in direct patient care settings. ABPP’s Clinical Health Psychology specialty requires an organized doctoral program in professional psychology that includes an internship, plus postdoctoral supervised practice or post-licensure consultative experience in the specialty.

ABPP states that certification in clinical health psychology requires training beyond the doctoral degree. Applicants must complete a qualifying doctoral program and internship, then meet one of several specialty experience pathways, such as an accredited clinical health psychology postdoctoral fellowship, a combination of fellowship and additional specialty experience, or post-licensure clinical health psychology experience with consultation and continuing education. Because these pathway details are specific and may change, applicants should review the current Clinical Health Psychology specialty requirements directly with ABPP.

According to the APA, health psychology is a clinical specialty that examines how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness. Health psychology explores the motivations behind health-related behaviors and the factors that help people cope with chronic conditions, recover from illness, or change their behavior to improve their health. Health psychologists have helped develop and study interventions related to smoking cessation, diet, pain management, adherence to treatment, and coping with chronic illness. The discipline explores the connection between behavior and health and examines why people may struggle to follow medical advice.

A key focus of the work is examining how emotions, behavior, and social context affect health. The field involves understanding how learning, memory, perception, cognition, and motivation influence health behaviors, illness, and injury. A clinical psychologist may be involved with treatments and research for:

Health psychologists help us understand fundamental questions about our minds and bodies and devise treatments to promote health and prevent illnesses. They conduct research into why people ignore sound advice and continue bad habits. They look at the effects of stress on people’s health.

By undertaking research, health psychologists can develop health care strategies that promote physical and emotional well-being. Their work can help reduce health care costs and guide medical and social policy. They also work one-on-one with patients to follow a treatment regimen or understand a diagnosis.

Clinical health psychology integrates psychological, social, cultural, and biological factors in health and disease and focuses on promoting health, preventing illness, supporting treatment and rehabilitation, and improving health care systems. Clinical health psychologists work in a range of settings, including academic medical centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, academia, government, and administration.

Duties may include conducting research; providing clinical services; consulting with health care providers and other professionals; advising organizations, institutions, policymakers, and the public; and providing assessment, evaluation, and intervention.

Clinical health psychologists work with individuals and groups to help address behaviors and psychosocial factors that affect physical health and well-being. They may also work as part of interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care, support coping with illness, and address stress and other behavioral factors related to health.

Depending on their role and training, psychologists may also work with people affected by chronic illness, disability, trauma, or other stress-related health concerns, and they may address broader factors that influence health and access to care.

Health psychologists are vital contributors in a variety of settings as educators, facilitators, and direct clinical practice and research. Psychologists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals and private practice. Most work full-time, and some may work evenings or weekends to accommodate client schedules. Work hours vary by role and setting.

Licensure for psychologists is regulated at the state level, so requirements vary by jurisdiction. In general, independent practice as a psychologist requires a doctoral degree, supervised training, and completion of required examinations, but exact education, supervision, and testing standards are set by the psychology board in the jurisdiction where a psychologist seeks licensure. Because these standards can differ, students should review current requirements early in the states where they may want to practice. Board certification in Clinical Health Psychology through ABPP is separate from licensure and is an optional specialty credential for eligible licensed psychologists.

According to the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 data on clinical and counseling psychologists, the top 10% earn more than $170,150 on average, while the bottom 10% earn $50,470 or less. For clinical and counseling psychologists, the mean annual income was $106,850.

Job openings for all psychologists are expected to grow 6% through 2034, faster than the average rate for all jobs, according to the BLS.

Psychologists typically hold graduate degrees and may work in research, applied, or clinical settings. Independent practice as a psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree and state licensure. A psychologist can specialize in a variety of areas. Some are research-based, while others focus on clinical interaction. Pursue your interests in brain science, environmental, organizational, counseling, forensic, or developmental psychology. As a psychologist, you can help individuals with mental and behavioral disorders maintain or improve their well-being.

Behavior analysts work with clients to develop appropriate treatment plans to decrease unwanted behaviors and emphasize desirable behaviors. While many behavior analysts assist clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, they may also work with people in other populations, depending on their training and practice setting. They typically work with educators, medical professionals, and family members to provide treatment for clients.

Social workers provide essential services to disadvantaged groups to improve their situations. A master’s in social work is typically required for clinical social work licensure, although social work credentials and license titles vary by state. To work directly with clients in a therapeutic setting, graduates must obtain the appropriate clinical social work license required by their state. This level requires hours of supervised clinical work after completion of the master’s program. Given the demand for social workers mentioned above, online classes make it easier for students to manage time commitments while completing the online MSW program.

A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) or in a related field acceptable to the state prepares students for a career as a marriage and family therapist, providing professional mental health care to couples, families, and individuals. In addition to direct counseling, a therapist may also be involved in case management, insurance utilization reviews, community education, and support with other healthcare providers. Requirements for the number and types of hours students must accrue will vary by state.

A degree in mental health counseling prepares students to become mental health counselors to meet the mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of different populations. Even with an online degree, supervised practicum and internship experiences are a vital component of the course. To practice, students must obtain counseling licensure in accordance with the regulations of the state where they live. Licensure requirements vary by state and may include an exam, supervised experience, and additional board requirements.

Then, students can also seek certification or professional credentials with professional organizations to reflect their commitment to meeting career standards.

Information Last Updated: March 2026